Tough enough?

Panther Junction — Back in the 1960s a ranger by the name of Rodger Siglin worked at Big Bend. He is now in his 70s and retired. He spends his vacations climbing 20,000-foot peaks in South America. He has hiked across Big Bend National Park and did so about 10 years ago. We showed him our route while wildlife biologist Raymond Skiles helped us with the maps. He was interested. Sean then told him that because we spent last night sleeping in sub-freezing conditions he would be bringing a tent on our hike.

Siglin then said he almost never used a tent for desert camping and walked away. He said when he hiked across Death Valley, he did not take a tent, just a gallon of water and a gallon of wine.

He said he and his friend drank the gallon of wine the first night and wished they had left the water at home.

When he heard about Sean’s plan to use a tent, he shrugged his shoulders and walked away. We had not impressed him. And Sean had only packed two bottles of wine.